One Of The Most Majestic Libraries In The World Is Right Here In Iowa

Libraries have long been esteemed institutions housing our stories, ideas and intellectual progress. While the age of e-books has changed the reading landscape forever, there’s no denying the charm, fascination and draw of a real library. Just the sight of the shelves and the smell of old books provides a specific feeling that just can’t be described.

Iowa’s State Law Library was named by the Architecture and Design website as one of the 45 most majestic libraries in the world, and it is a perfect example of a library whose magnificent architecture really is awe-inspiring.

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Iowa's State Law Library is located in the Capitol building in the state capital of Des Moines. It is one of the biggest libraries in the United States and houses more than 100,000 volumes.

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The library provides Iowa lawmakers, government employees, the Iowa legal community and the general public with a highly specialized legal collection of treatises and both state and federal statutory, regulatory and case law.

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Also contained in the collection are legal periodicals, materials produced by the Iowa legislature and the abstracts and arguments of the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

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The winding wrought iron staircases are some of the more stunning architectural features in the library. There are two staircases, located on the north and south end of the library, and they were built in 1882 and 1883. The staircases lead to each of the library's five floors, which are encased in wrought iron railings that are original to the building.

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Some other architectural features include ash and chestnut wood finishes, marble wainscoting, an encaustic tile floor and spectacular chandeliers. The library also hosts art installations where visiting artists can exhibit their work.

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The atrium stretches up five stories, and there is a stunning stained glass window at the top. Installed in the 1880s, the window is over 130 years old. The ceiling also features intricate hand-stenciled artwork and busts.

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This library epitomizes the architectural, intellectual and legal histories of Iowa. If you love books, libraries or are an architecture buff, this stunning place is definitely a must visit.

Address: State Capitol Building, Rm 200, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA.

Phone: 800-248-4483 or 515-281-5124

Hours: Open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Have you been to the Iowa State Law Library? What did you think? To learn more about Iowa’s interesting and magnificent structures, These 17 Unique Houses In Iowa Will Make You Look Twice … And Want To Go In.